Annual reminder: declarations of interest requirements

Working within the NHS, we are required to operate impartially, honestly and with integrity. To support this requirement, the Trust has a standards of business conduct policy, which outlines the requirements for all staff within EEAST.

Please familiarise yourself with how this policy covers interests, gifts and hospitality.

All senior managers (8a and above) are required to submit a declarations of interest form on an annual basis. All staff regardless of seniority are required to submit a declarations of interest form when they have outside interests which may impact on their employment with the Trust.

Generally, a ‘conflict of interest’ is when an individual's personal interests – family, friendships, financial, or social factors – could compromise their judgment, decisions, or actions in the workplace. Regardless of your role, if you suspect you may have a conflict of interest, you need to make a declaration.

Usually, when a declaration is made it won’t stop you continuing with whatever has been declared, but sometimes, depending on its nature, we may need to consider the implications for you and the Trust.

Gifts

Many goodwill gestures are made by patients and the public to show their appreciation of the service we deliver. This is great and well deserved, but we must consider if the gift is offered to attempt to influence the way we act or if it could be seen as a way of casting doubt on our decisions and integrity.

Under no circumstances should staff or teams be soliciting gifts; this includes the creation of ‘wishlists’. It is not therefore appropriate to accept personal gifts or money and all gifts received must be declared.

This process is fully outlined in the standards of business conduct policy. All gifts from and to commercial third parties must be declared to avoid possible accusations of bribery. These must be declared on the declarations of gifts and hospitality form in the policy.

Small gifts from patients need not be formally declared but your line manager must be informed. Staff should not accept monetary gifts – where these are received and there is no way to return them, they should be submitted as charitable funds for the benefit of the receiving station/ area.

Hospitality

Any event, service or entertainment provided and paid for by a third party should be declared on the declaration of gifts and hospitality form in advance. For further information please consult the summary guidance on acceptability of gifts and hospitality contained in the policy.

We must, regardless of role, uphold standards of business conduct. If you have any questions or require clarity on any of these matters please contact the Governance Team, which will be happy to help.

The declarations of interest form is now available electronically, at the below link, or within the standards of business conduct policy.

https://forms.office.com/r/HVNnzrzjxt

Friday 12th August 2022